Bungalow set for its time in the sun

IT has gardens of a third of an acre, patios, planting and privacy — and, now with a new road almost to its doorstep, 1 Oaklee’s time in the sun is about to come.

The family bungalow home is in a private and mature estate just off Cork's Model Farm Road, by the start of the Killumney road near a bypass access point.

By the year's end, the Ballincollig bypass road should be up and running, allowing swift access from this area back towards the city centre the word 'towards' is used because delays at Sarsfield Road and Kinsale Road roundabouts are set to escalate as this new quadrant of commuting traffic funnels into it.

Also, this whole part of the greater Cork city area is due for major changes, with a shopping centre and other major developments in the new Ballincollig town centre already well under construction.

Oaklee is a 20-something-year-old development of bungalows and houses all acquiring more distinct identities as they are individually remodelled, extended, and upgraded.

No 1 is a home in two sections, with three bedrooms at one end of a linking corridor, and living quarters at the other.

In all, there is about 1,600 sq ft of space, says Ann O'Mahony of Sherry FitzGerald auctioneers, who prices it at €485,000-plus, but who accepts that it could go well over the €500,000 mark.

There's more living than sleeping space, with a 26' by 14' lounge, teeing into a 11' by 9' dining area with French doors to a patio sun-trap. There's a kitchen/breakfast room with a utility off it which then has garage access, and a bathroom with separate guest WC.

The garage may have conversion potential as study or fourth bedroom. As it stands, with three bedrooms (none en suite) this is a trading-up detached home for a small family, or even a trading down home for a couple keen to have a good amount of garden space and lots of privacy.

The house has a warm, feelgood factor says Ms O'Mahony, and is located between Bishopstown and Ballincollig, which is certain to fuel bidding activity.